Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 after the death of her uncle, King William IV. So, what was life like in Victorian Britain? A period of great social inequality. A time of great change where the benefits of the industrial evolution was being felt. Steam power transformed the speed and levels of production at textile mills. Building and engineering, revolutionised by the development of stronger types of iron, allowed iron rails to be made to transport coal from the mines. How did life change for Victorians?
The Development Of The Railways
The railway system took off in the 1840's. The keystone for distribution, enabling the transportation of goods all over the country. Delivering raw materials from mines to factories and finished articles to consumers. Trains became the heart of British infrastructure. The new steam train network also brought rise to commuters. More people travelling from the countryside to work in the cities and towns, enjoyed the best of both worlds for example. In addition to this, travel by train to the seaside, to bath in the sea, became possible because respectable doctors, from the beginning of the 18th Century, were encouraging this practice.
Mass Production
Producing goods, from Brass beds to Biscuits in mass quantities, the Victorians were enjoying a flourish in consumerism. Promotional campaigns on hoardings and at railway stations, like Bovril and Pear's soap for example, were very eye-catching! More advertising opportunities arose with the advent of newspapers and magazines. Likewise, packaging promoted the manufacturer, like Cadbury's cocoa or Birds custard powder, Coleman's mustard or Sunlight soap.
Social Inequality
What was life like in Victorian Britain for the poor though? The middle classes, expanding in both numbers and wealth, created the huge demand for goods and services. The poor, however, toiling for long hours in the mills, mines, factories and docks suffered. Appalling working and living conditions persisted in many areas until the end of the Victorian age. By the 1880s and 1890s however, most were benefitting from cheaper imports of food and other goods. Meanwhile, terraced houses, for the more prosperous working classes, were increasingly connected to clean water, drains and even gas.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. His influence on the country was soon felt, encouraging the queen to take an interest in state affairs. During her early years she was guided by Lord Melbourne. However, famously she repeatedly came into conflict with her other ministers, for example, Lord Palmerston and William Gladstone, although she liked Benjamin Disraeli and approved of his policies. Victoria's reign was relatively peaceful. The Crimean war, (1853 to1856) in which the Russian Empire lost to an alliance of Britain, France, Sardinia and the Ottoman Empire, the only conflict of note.
Over a period of seventeen years, she had nine children, four boys and five girls. Prince Albert died of typhoid in 1861, at the age of 42, as a result, the Queen went into a long period of mourning. Dressing mainly in black for the rest of her life, her love for Prince Albert remains unquestionable. After a reign of 63 years and 7 months, Queen Victoria died in 1901, the monarchy passed on to her son King Edward VII.
Here at Sweet and Nostalgic we have a great range of Victorian Gift Ideas. Why not pop over and have a look? Our range covers the whole of the 20th Century, so there's something on our site for everyone interested in the most influential century that the world has known to date.